Location aware assignment of resources for push to talk (PTT) communication systems in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

The technologies described herein are generally directed to facilitating operation of system that can include a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. In embodiments, the operations can include receiving, from a source user equipment, a first request to communicate to a destination group of user equipment via a multi-cast connection. Further operations can include identifying respective service areas of ones of the destination group, comprising a service area of a destination user equipment of the destination group. In some embodiments, operations can include generating a second request to initiate the multi-cast connection, the second request comprising the destination group of user equipment with the respective service areas, wherein the respective service area of the destination user equipment is for selection, by second network equipment based on the service area, a gateway group of base station equipment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject application is related to network connectivity in a 5G orother next generation wireless communication system, and, for example,connectivity for push to talk service communications.

BACKGROUND

Different network communication services have been developed over timeto address the needs of different customers. The push to talk (PTT)service has different characteristics that can meet service demands forcertain users with mission critical communications and fast setuprequirements, e.g., first responders, utilities, and railways.

Because PTT service connections may require the system to establishconnections with multiple devices simultaneously, problems can occurwhen different devices, in different locations, and with differentcapabilities, must all be combined in a PTT session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology described herein is illustrated by way of example and notlimited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of an example system that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTT servicecommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate an example the operation of, and linkages betweenthe different components of a system that can facilitate location-basedallocation of resources for PTT service communications, in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of a non-limiting example systemthat can facilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTservice communications, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example diagram of a non-limiting example systemthat can location-based allocation of resources for PTT servicecommunications by splitting PTT traffic between selected gateways basedon a service area list, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system that can facilitate location-basedallocation of resources for PTT service communications, in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example mobile handsetoperable to engage in a system architecture that can facilitateprocesses described herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an example computeroperable to engage in a system architecture that can facilitateprocesses described herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, one or more embodiments described herein canfacilitate location-based assignment (also termed location awareassignment) of resources for PTT service communications, using differentapproaches. By employing different approaches to allocating resources toPTT connections, one or more embodiments described herein can improvePTT setup times, promote high availability, increase reliability, andfacilitate priority handling of communications. In addition, one or moreembodiments described herein can be directed towards amulti-connectivity framework that supports the operation of New Radio(NR, sometimes referred to as 5G). As will be understood, one or moreembodiments can allow an integration of user devices with networkassistance, by supporting control and mobility functionality on cellularlinks (e.g. long term evolution (LTE) or NR). One or more embodimentscan provide benefits including, system robustness, reduced overhead, andglobal resource management, while facilitating direct communicationlinks via a NR sidelink.

It should be understood that any of the examples and terms used hereinare non-limiting. For instance, while examples are generally directed tonon-standalone operation where the NR backhaul links are operating onmmWave bands and the control plane links are operating on sub-6 GHz LTEbands, it should be understood that it is straightforward to extend thetechnology described herein to scenarios in which the sub-6 GHz anchorcarrier providing control plane functionality could also be based on NR.As such, any of the examples herein are non-limiting examples, any ofthe embodiments, aspects, concepts, structures, functionalities orexamples described herein are non-limiting, and the technology may beused in various ways that provide benefits and advantages in radiocommunications in general.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term “radio network node” or simply“network node,” “radio network device,” “network device,” and accesselements are used herein. These terms may be used interchangeably, andrefer to any type of network node that can serve user equipment and/orbe connected to other network node or network element or any radio nodefrom where user equipment can receive a signal. Examples of radionetwork node include, but are not limited to, base stations (BS),multi-standard radio (MSR) nodes such as MSR BS, gNodeB, eNode B,network controllers, radio network controllers (RNC), base stationcontrollers (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiverstations (BTS), access points (AP), transmission points, transmissionnodes, remote radio units (RRU) (also termed radio units herein), remoteratio heads (RRH), and nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS).

As described further below, in some embodiments, one or more of thenon-limiting terms “relay node,” “mobile relay node,” “anchor node,” and“mobile base station” can describe mobile relay nodes supporting mobilenetworks. It should be appreciated that notwithstanding somedescriptions herein referring to concepts of wireless base stationsbeing “fixed,” “stationary” or similar terms, and “mobile,” “nonfixed”or similar terms, these terms describing a capacity for movement are notlimiting, e.g., in different embodiments, a mobile base stationdescribed herein can be fixed in position, and vice versa.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) is used.This term can refer to any type of wireless device that can communicatewith a radio network node in a cellular or mobile communication system.Examples of UEs include, but are not limited to, a target device, deviceto device (D2D) user equipment, machine type user equipment, userequipment capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDAs,tablets, mobile terminals, smart phones, laptop embedded equipped (LEE),laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, and other equipment thatcan have similar connectivity.

Example UEs are described further with FIGS. 9 and 10 below. Someembodiments are described in particular for 5G new radio systems. Theembodiments are however applicable to any radio access technology (RAT)or multi-RAT system where the UEs operate using multiple carriers, e.g.LTE.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra-mobile broadband (UMB), fifth generation core (5G Core),fifth generation option 3× (5G Option 3×), high speed packet access(HSPA), Z-Wave, Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/orlegacy telecommunication technologies. Some embodiments are described inparticular with example implementations in 5G NR systems. Theembodiments are however applicable to any radio access technology (RAT)or multi-RAT system where the user equipment operates using multiplecarriers.

The computer processing systems, computer-implemented methods, apparatusand/or computer program products described herein employ hardware and/orsoftware to solve problems that are highly technical in nature (e.g.,rapidly evaluating criteria, and allocating resources for communicationsin different protocols), that are not abstract and cannot be performedas a set of mental acts by a human. For example, a human, or even aplurality of humans, cannot efficiently select from two or more basestations based on location, device capabilities, and message types(which generally cannot be performed manually by a human) with the samelevel of accuracy and/or efficiency as the various embodiments describedherein.

Aspects of the subject disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which examplecomponents, graphs and operations are shown. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the variousembodiments. However, the subject disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the examplesset forth herein.

FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of an example system 100 that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposesof brevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed inother embodiments is omitted. As depicted, system 100 includes firstnetwork equipment 150, second network equipment 180, network 190, sourceUE 160, and destination UEs 165A-B. According to multiple embodiments,first network equipment 150 can include memory 165 that can store one ormore computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/or executablecomponents 120 and/or instructions that, when executed by processor 160,can facilitate performance of operations defined by the executablecomponent(s) and/or instruction(s). As discussed below, first networkequipment 150 can further include storage device 170.

In some embodiments, memory 165 can comprise volatile memory (e.g.,random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc.)and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., read only memory (ROM), programmableROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), etc.) that can employ one or more memoryarchitectures. Further examples of memory 165 are described below withreference to system memory 1006 and FIG. 10 . Such examples of memory165 can be employed to implement any embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. With respect to additional information stored by firstnetwork equipment 150, as depicted storage device 170 stores service

According to multiple embodiments, processor 160 can comprise one ormore processors and/or electronic circuitry that can implement one ormore computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/or executablecomponents and/or instructions that can be stored on memory 165. Forexample, processor 160 can perform various operations that can bespecified by such computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components and/or instructions including, but not limited to,logic, control, input/output (I/O), arithmetic, and/or the like. In someembodiments, processor 160 can comprise one or more componentsincluding, but not limited to, a central processing unit, a multi-coreprocessor, a microprocessor, dual microprocessors, a microcontroller, aSystem on a Chip (SOC), an array processor, a vector processor, andother types of processors. Further examples of processor 160 aredescribed below with reference to processing unit 1004 of FIG. 10 . Suchexamples of processor 160 can be employed to implement any embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

As discussed further with FIG. 10 , network 190 can employ variouscellular systems, technologies, and modulation schemes to facilitatewireless radio communications between devices. While example embodimentsinclude use of 5G new radio (NR) systems, one or more embodimentsdiscussed herein can be applicable to any radio access technology (RAT)or multi-RAT system, including where user equipments operate usingmultiple carriers.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments of the subject disclosuredepicted in various figures disclosed herein are for illustration only,and as such, the architecture of such embodiments are not limited to thesystems, devices, and/or components depicted therein. For example, insome embodiments, first network equipment 150 can further comprisevarious computer and/or computing-based elements described herein withreference to operating environment 1000 and FIG. 10 . In one or moreembodiments, such computer and/or computing-based elements can be usedin connection with implementing one or more of the systems, devices,components, and/or computer-implemented operations shown and describedin connection with FIG. 1 or other figures disclosed herein.

In one or more embodiments, memory 165 can store computer and/or machinereadable, writable, and/or executable components 120 and/or instructionsthat, when executed by processor 160, can facilitate execution of thevarious functions described herein relating to service area identifiercomponent 122, network interface component 124, gateway selectorcomponent 126, service area mapping component 128, as well as othercomponents to implement and provide functions to system 100, and someother embodiments described herein.

In an example, memory 165 can store executable instructions that canfacilitate generation of a network interface component, which can insome implementations facilitate receiving a first request from secondnetwork equipment, to communicate a first communication to a destinationgroup of user equipment via a first multi-cast connection to thedestination group of user equipment.

For example, in one or more embodiments, instructions can facilitategeneration of a network interface component 124, which can in someimplementations facilitate receiving a first request 182 from secondnetwork equipment 180, to communicate a first communication 162 to adestination group of user equipment (e.g., from UE 160) via a firstmulti-cast connection (e.g., broadcast 117) to the destination group ofuser equipment 165A-B. As discussed further in examples herein, in someimplementations, the communications between UE 160 and UEs 165A-B arefacilitated by PIT service, and can allocate resources in network 190.

Memory 165, in some examples, can further store executable instructionsthat, when executed by processor 160, facilitate generation of a servicearea identifier component, which can in some implementations facilitateidentifying, by the first network equipment, a first service area of asecond user equipment of the destination group of user equipment.

For example, in one or more embodiments, executable instructions canfacilitate generation of a service area identifier component 122, whichcan in some implementations facilitate identifying, by the first networkequipment, a first service area of a second user equipment of thedestination group of user equipment. At this stage of the explanation ofone or more embodiments described herein, the service area identified bythe service area identifier can broadly correspond to geographiclocation of a destination UE for a message from source UE 160, with UEs165A-B being in the same or different service areas.

In one or more embodiments, memory 165 can further store executableinstructions that, when executed by processor 160, facilitate generationof a gateway selector component, which can in some implementationsfacilitate selecting, by the first network equipment, based on the firstservice area, a first gateway group of base station equipment forestablishment of the first multi-cast connection with ones of thedestination group of user equipment, comprising the second userequipment. Gateway groups are described in further detail below with thedescription of FIGS. 3-5 . For example, in the example depicted in FIG.3 , gateway selector component 126 can facilitate selecting, by thefirst network equipment, based on the first service area, a firstgateway group of base station equipment for establishment of the firstmulti-cast connection (e.g., broadcast 117) with ones of the destinationgroup of UEs 165A-B. As described further below, the first gateway groupcan correspond to resources allocated based on the identified servicearea, e.g., base stations that can communicate the PTT messages toproximate destination UE groups, such as UEs 165A-B.

In exemplary embodiments, systems 100 can implement a system thatincludes PTT communications, e.g., source UE 160 can direct PTTcommunications to UEs 165A-B with the communication being delivered by abroadcast 117 method. As discussed further with FIG. 3 below, toimplement the systems, first network equipment 150 can include functionsof broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) equipment, and secondnetwork equipment 180 can include functions of network equipment thatcan coordinate PTT communications, as discussed further below, e.g., seediscussion of FIGS. 2-3 below.

FIGS. 2-3 are discussed in this section to illustrate the operation of,and linkages between the different components discussed above, e.g.,first network equipment 150, second network equipment 180, source UE160, as well as new elements and depicted in FIGS. 2-3 . FIG. 2 is anarchitecture diagram of a non-limiting example 200 of components ofsecond network equipment 180 discussed above, in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

System 200 can include second network equipment 180 linked via network190 to first network equipment 150, network 190, source UE 160, anddestination UEs 165A-B. Second network equipment 180 can also includestorage device 270 which can store for one or more embodiments, servicearea mapping data 172 (e.g., as introduced with FIG. 1 above) andequipment capability data 274, discussed below. According to multipleembodiments, second network equipment 180 can include memory 165 thatcan store one or more computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components 220 and/or instructions that, when executed byprocessor 160, can facilitate performance of operations defined by theexecutable component(s) and/or instruction(s). For example, similar tocomputer-executable components 120 of FIG. 1 , when executed byprocessor 160, computer-executable components 120 can facilitateexecution of the various functions described herein relating to servicearea identifier component 122, user equipment interface component 224,push to transfer coordination component 225, service area mappingcomponent 128, equipment capability identifying component 227, as wellas other components to implement and provide functions to system 200 andsome other embodiments described herein.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3 , broadcast multicast service centerequipment 390 is included as an example component that can be used forfunctions described for first network equipment 150. In one or moreembodiments described herein, broadcast multicast service centerequipment 390 can also be termed a BM-SC (broadcast/multicast servicecenter), and this equipment can provide functions including, but notlimited to, content ingestion, preparation and transmission of contentto UEs, session control signaling, session management, serviceannouncement, file repair, reception reporting, security, and userauthentication. In addition, gateway 310 (also termed MBMS-GW (MBMSGateway)) is depicted as a dotted line delineated group of access points(e.g., base stations 340A-B), and the management of gateway can bemanaged by broadcast multicast service center equipment 390 or othergateway management network equipment (not shown). Gateway 310 managementfunctions can include, but are not limited to, assigning transportnetwork multicast IP addresses, originating transport network multicastto distribute eMBMS user plane data to eNodeBs (e.g., base stations340A-B), and session control signaling to multicell/multicastcoordination entities (MCE) via mobility management entities (MME) (notshown).

Returning to FIG. 3 , broadcast multicast service center equipment 390and PTT coordination equipment 380 can utilize components described withFIG. 2 above to perform different functions. For example, memoryresources in broadcast multicast service center equipment 390 can storeexecutable instructions that can facilitate generation of networkinterface component 124, which can, in some implementations facilitatereceiving first request 325 from PTT coordination equipment 380, tocommunicate a PTT communication from source UE 360 to a destinationgroup of user equipments 350A-B via a multi-cast connection (e.g.,broadcast 485) to the destination group of user equipment. Memory 165,can further store executable instructions that, when executed byprocessor 160 of broadcast multicast service center equipment 390,facilitate generation of service area identifier component 122, whichcan in some implementations facilitate identifying, by broadcastmulticast service center equipment 390, service area 320 of destinationgroup UEs 350B-C.

In one or more embodiments, additional executable instructions can beutilized by one or more embodiments that, when executed by processor160, facilitate generation of gateway selector component 126, which can,in some implementations, facilitate selecting, by the first networkequipment, based on the first service area, a gateway group of basestations for establishment of the multi-cast connection, with ones ofthe destination group of user equipments. Thus, continuing this example,PTT coordination equipment 380 can receive a request 365 from source UE360, with destination UEs 350A-B specified. Base stations 340A-B areincluded in gateway 310, with base station 340B communicatively coupledto UE 350A-B by broadcast 385, to UEs in service area 320.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3 , PTT coordination equipment 380 canreceive request 365 with user equipment interface component 224, andformulate request 325 for forwarding to broadcast multicast servicecenter equipment 390, e.g., by PTT coordination component 225. In someimplementations, request 325 can include identifiers of the members of adestination group selected by a user of source UE 360, e.g., UEs 350A-B.

In an additional combination of activities that add detail to theexamples above, in FIG. 3 , the destination UEs 350A-B included inrequest 365 from source UE 360 can be used to identify the service areasof the destination UEs, e.g., by service area identifier component 122of FIG. 2 retrieving this service area data stored in service areamapping data 272 of second network equipment 180, e.g., service areamapping data 272 can store that 350A-B are currently in service area320.

It should be noted that, as used herein, a service area can have ameaning similar to the meaning of service area identifier, e.g., anidentifier assigned to a geographic area including one or more basestations. As discussed throughout the present application, service areas(e.g., service area 320) can be used to direct communications traffic towireless resources (e.g., base stations 340A-B) geographically proximateto destination UEs (e.g., UEs 350A-B). Although a single service area320 is discussed with FIG. 3 , it a feature of some embodiments toutilize different criteria to select from multiple available serviceareas 320 and to provide coverage to multiple selected service areas320.

Continuing this example, the determined service area 320 can be used togenerate request 325 for communication to broadcast multicast serviceequipment 390 (e.g., similar to second device 180 of FIG. 2 ) whereservice area mapping data 172 can be used to identify one or moregateways (e.g., gateway 310) that can be advantageously used to delivercommunications to the destination UEs, e.g., because selected gateway310 has resources (e.g., base stations 340A-B) that are geographicallyproximate to the destination UEs 350A-B in service area 320.

In one or more embodiments, in the course of operations of the providernetwork, PTT coordination equipment 380 can be updated with new serviceareas, e.g., as UEs 350A-B move out of service area 320. Differentapproaches can be used to update current service area status of UEs350A-B. For example, in one or more embodiments, service area mappingcomponent 128 can receive service area information from differentsources. For example, when both a UE and a serving base station (e.g.,an eNodeB) are capable (e.g., eMBMS capable), then the base station canreceive updated service area information (e.g., also termed a servicearea identity in some embodiments) and then relay this information toPTT coordination component 380, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 3 , by servicearea update 345. In this example, both base station 340B and UE 350B canbe eMBMS capable, the current service area 320 and any subsequentupdates can be relayed to PTT coordination component 380 for use inupdating service area mapping data 272, and for use generating request325.

FIG. 4 discussed below, provides additional details about the processesdescribe above, and also introduces additional features of embodiments,such as utilizing PTT coordination equipment 390 to evaluatecapabilities of UEs requesting PTT connections, e.g., with equipmentcapability identifying component 227.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of non-limiting example system 400that can facilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposesof brevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed inother embodiments is omitted.

System 400 can include broadcast multicast service center equipment 390communicatively coupled to PTT coordination equipment 380, with theformer directing communication to UEs 410B-C via broadcast 485, and thelater directing unicast 425 communication via access point 445 to UE410A. Source UE 360 is depicted as communicatively coupled to PTTcoordination equipment 380.

It should be noted that, in different implementations of PTT service, atleast two transport methods can be used to deliver data, and the exampleof FIG. 4 includes two different types of connections to destination UEs410A-C, e.g., eMBMS broadcast 485, and non-MBMS unicast 425. As depictedin FIG. 4 , with UEs 410A-C being in a destination group for acommunication from source UE 360, UEs 410B-C are depicted as receivingbroadcast 485 communication from eNodeBs 440A-B, and UE 410A receivesunicast 425 delivery of the PTT communication, e.g., from access point445. Different approaches to selecting which communications are subjectto delivery in this way are discussed further below.

For example, in one or more embodiments, PTT coordination equipment 380can receive, from a source UE 360, a first request to communicate acommunication to the destination group of user equipment. As describedabove, in some embodiments, the service areas of the destination groupUEs 410A-C can be determined. In an additional feature, in one or moreembodiments, capabilities of different system components can also beassessed, e.g., by equipment capability identifying component 227. In anexample, these capabilities include the capacity for communication usingmulticast/broadcast mode (MBMS) or enhanced MBMS (eMBMS). In someimplementations, evaluating capabilities by PTT coordination equipment390 can facilitate splitting PTT communications to MBMS and non-MBMSdelivery resources. In some circumstances, this splitting can increasethe use of MBMS for communication, e.g., with resulting improvements incommunication efficiency, setup speed, and capacity for dynamic changesin communication structures.

As noted above, to utilize the MBMS (e.g., broadcast 485) from eNodeB440B, both the base station (e.g., eNodeB 440B) and a destination UE(e.g., UEs 410B-C) have a capacity to utilize MBMS for PTTcommunications. In this example, neither access point 445 (e.g., legacybase station equipment) nor UE 410A have MBMS capabilities and, upon PTTcoordination equipment 390 receiving UE 410A included in destination UEsfor the PTT communication from source node 340, this lack of MBMScapability can be detected (e.g., by equipment capability identifyingcomponent 227) and access point 445 can be selected, e.g., based on theinclusion of this resource in gateway 310 and the proximity of gateway310 resources for service area 420. Stated differently, whencapabilities are detected in a destination UE (e.g., UEs 410B-C) thatare implicated by available access point resources (e.g., eNodeB 440A-B)this route can be utilized by one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example diagram of non-limiting example system 500that can location-based allocation of resources for PTT communicationsby splitting PTT traffic between selected gateways based on a servicearea list, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes ofbrevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted.

As depicted, system 500 includes broadcast multicast service centerequipment 390 communicatively coupled MBMS capable base stations 540A-Bin gateway 515A and BS 540C-D in gateway 515B. In this example, adestination group for a PTT communication includes MBMS capable UEs510B-G, with UE 510A not having MBMS capabilities.

As depicted in FIG. 5 , when there are multiple MBMS-GWs (e.g., gateways515A-B) deployed into network, a BM-SC (e.g., broadcast multicastservice center equipment 390) can have the additional capability tosplit traffic to selected MBMS-GWs. In this example, gateways 515A-B canbe selected based on a service area list (SA list) from PTT coordinationequipment 380, also termed content provider server in some embodiments.For example, gateway 515A serves service area 520A and gateway 515Bserves service areas 520B-C. Based on this mapping, if, for example, thedestination list of UEs only included UEs 510B-C, then broadcastmulticast service center equipment 390 would only deliver the associatedtraffic to the resources of gateway 515A for delivery by broadcast 517A.Alternatively, if the destination UEs include UEs 510B-C and 510E, thenboth gateways 515A-B can be utilized by one or more embodiments.

Returning to a discussion of non-MBMS capable UE 510A, when this UE isincluded in a destination list, one or more embodiments can directassociated traffic to gateway 515A, and an MBMS capable access point(e.g., BS 540A) can be used to communicate the traffic via a non-MBMSmethod, e.g., unicast 516.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system 600 that can facilitatelocation-based allocation of resources for PIT communications, inaccordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes of brevity,description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted.

In one or more embodiments, network interface component 124 can beconfigured to facilitate receiving a first request from second networkequipment, to communicate a first communication to a destination groupof user equipment via a first multi-cast connection to the destinationgroup of user equipment. In one or more embodiments, service areaidentifier 12 can be configured to identify a first service area of asecond user equipment of the destination group of user equipment.

In one or more embodiments, gateway selector component 126 can beconfigured to select, based on the first service area, a first gatewaygroup of base station equipment for establishment of the firstmulti-cast connection with ones of the destination group of userequipment, comprising the second user equipment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 700 that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposesof brevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed inother embodiments is omitted.

At 702, method 700 can comprise receiving, from a source user equipment,a first request to communicate a communication to a destination group ofuser equipment via a multi-cast connection to the destination group ofuser equipment. At 704, method 700 can further comprise identifyingrespective service areas of ones of the destination group, comprising aservice area of a destination user equipment of the destination group.

At 706, method 700 can comprise generating a second request to initiatethe multi-cast connection, the second request comprising the destinationgroup of user equipment with the respective service areas, wherein therespective service area of the destination user equipment is forselection, by second network equipment based on the service area, agateway group of base station equipment for establishment of themulti-cast connection with the destination user equipment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 800 that canfacilitate location-based allocation of resources for PTTcommunications, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposesof brevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed inother embodiments is omitted.

At 802, method 800 can comprise facilitating receiving a first requestfrom second network equipment, to communicate a first communication to adestination group of user equipment via a first multi-cast connection tothe destination group of user equipment. At 804, method 800 can compriseidentifying a first service area of a second user equipment of thedestination group of user equipment. At 806, method 800 can compriseselecting, based on the first service area, a first gateway group ofbase station equipment for establishment of the first multi-castconnection with ones of the destination group of user equipment,comprising the second user equipment.

It is to be appreciated that one or more embodiments described hereincan utilize various combinations of electrical components, mechanicalcomponents, mass storage, circuitry, and extensive, repetitive, rapidlyperformed, and complicated analysis of data that cannot be replicated inthe mind of a human or performed by any number of humans workingtogether. One or more embodiments can provide a technical solution to atechnical problem by processing and analyzing utilization data ofnetwork slices with functions beyond the capability of a human mind,e.g., the operations of network components including, but not limitedto, network interface.

According to several embodiments, system 100 can also be fullyoperational towards performing one or more other functions (e.g., fullypowered on, fully executed, etc.) while also performing the variousoperations of a network control system of information sharing that aredescribed and suggested herein. It should be appreciated that suchsimultaneous multi-operational execution is beyond the capability of ahuman mind. It is to be appreciated that one or more embodiments canobtain, analyze, and process information that is impossible to obtain,analyze, and process manually by an entity, such as a human user.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example mobile handset900 operable to engage in a system architecture that facilitateswireless communications according to one or more embodiments describedherein. Although a mobile handset is illustrated herein, it will beunderstood that other devices can be a mobile device, and that themobile handset is merely illustrated to provide context for theembodiments of the various embodiments described herein. The followingdiscussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of anexample of a suitable environment in which the various embodiments canbe implemented. While the description includes a general context ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied on a machine-readable storagemedium, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, cloudcomputing environments and the like, each of which can be operativelycoupled to one or more associated devices.

As used with discussions of some embodiments herein, a cloud computingenvironment, the cloud, or other similar terms can refer to computingthat can share processing resources and data to one or more computer andother device on an as needed basis to facilitate access to a shared poolof configurable computing resources that can be provisioned and releasedreadily. For example, the preferential allocation of network resourcesto responder device 140 and network device 150 described above can befacilitated by flexible allocation of cloud computing resources, inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, solid statedrive (SSD) or other solid-state storage technology, Compact Disk ReadOnly Memory (CD ROM), digital video disk (DVD), Blu-ray disk, or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe computer. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory”herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are tobe understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media

The handset includes a processor 902 for controlling and processing allonboard operations and functions. A memory 904 interfaces to theprocessor 902 for storage of data and one or more applications 906(e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software, etc.).Other applications can include voice recognition of predetermined voicecommands that facilitate initiation of the user feedback signals. Theapplications 906 can be stored in the memory 904 and/or in a firmware908, and executed by the processor 902 from either or both the memory904 or/and the firmware 908. The firmware 908 can also store startupcode for execution in initializing the handset 900. A communicationscomponent 910 interfaces to the processor 902 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellularnetworks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications component910 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 911 (e.g., a GSMtransceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 913 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax)for corresponding signal communications. The handset 900 can be a devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA with mobile communicationscapabilities, and messaging-centric devices. The communicationscomponent 910 also facilitates communications reception from terrestrialradio networks (e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, andInternet-based radio services networks

The handset 900 includes a display 912 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 912 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 912 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface914 is provided in communication with the processor 902 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1294) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 900, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 916, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 916 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 900 can include a slot interface 918 for accommodating a SIC(Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a card SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 920, and interfacing the SIM card920 with the processor 902. However, it is to be appreciated that theSIM card 920 can be manufactured into the handset 900, and updated bydownloading data and software.

The handset 900 can process IP data traffic through the communicationscomponent 910 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 900 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or a decoded format.

A video processing component 922 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 922can aid in facilitating the generation, editing, and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 900 also includes a power source 924 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 924 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 926.

The handset 900 can also include a video component 930 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 930 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 932 facilitates geographically locating the handset 900. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 934facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 934 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 934 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 906, a hysteresis component 936facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 938 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 936 when the Wi-Fi transceiver913 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 940 enables thehandset 900 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriber withthe SIP registrar server. The applications 906 can also include a client942 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play and storeof multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 900, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 910, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 913 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 900. The handset 900 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

As discussed with FIG. 1 , network 190 can include a wirelesscommunication system, and thus can include one or more communicationservice provider networks that facilitate providing wirelesscommunication services to various user equipments included in the one ormore communication service provider networks. The one or morecommunication service provider networks can include various types ofdisparate networks, including but not limited to: cellular networks,femto networks, picocell networks, microcell networks, internet protocol(IP) networks Wi-Fi service networks, broadband service network,enterprise networks, cloud based networks, and the like. For example, inat least one implementation, system 100 can be or include a large scalewireless communication network that spans various geographic areas.According to this implementation, the one or more communication serviceprovider networks can be or include the wireless communication networkand/or various additional devices and components of the wirelesscommunication network (e.g., additional network devices and cell,additional user equipments, network server devices, etc.).

The network device 150 can be connected to one or more communicationservice provider networks via one or more backhaul links or the like(not shown). For example, the one or more backhaul links can comprisewired link components, such as a T1/E1 phone line, a digital subscriberline (DSL) (e.g., either synchronous or asynchronous), an asymmetric DSL(ADSL), an optical fiber backbone, a coaxial cable, and the like.

As noted above, network 190 can employ various cellular systems,technologies, and modulation schemes to facilitate wireless radiocommunications between devices. While example embodiments include use of5G new radio (NR) systems, one or more embodiments discussed herein canbe applicable to any radio access technology (RAT) or multi-RAT system,including where user equipments operate using multiple carriers, e.g.LTE FDD/TDD, GSM/GERAN, CDMA2000, etc. For example, wirelesscommunication system 200 can operate in accordance with global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunicationsservice (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), LTE frequency divisionduplexing (LTE FDD, LTE time division duplexing (TDD), high speed packetaccess (HSPA), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA(WCMDA), CDMA2000, time division multiple access (TDMA), frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA), multi-carrier code division multipleaccess (MC-CDMA), single-carrier code division multiple access(SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-spreadOFDM) single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), Filter bank based multi-carrier(FBMC), zero tail DFT-spread-OFDM (ZT DFT-s-OFDM), generalized frequencydivision multiplexing (GFDM), fixed mobile convergence (FMC), universalfixed mobile convergence (UFMC), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), unique wordDFT-spread OFDM (UW DFT-Spread-OFDM), cyclic prefix OFDM CP-OFDM,resource-block-filtered OFDM, Wi Fi, WLAN, WiMax, and the like. However,various features and functionalities of system 100 are particularlydescribed wherein the devices (e.g., event responder device 140 andnetwork device 150) of system 100 are configured to communicate wirelesssignals using one or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein datasymbols can be transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequencysubcarriers (e.g., OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.).The embodiments are applicable to single carrier as well as tomulticarrier (MC) or carrier aggregation (CA) operation of the userequipment. The term carrier aggregation (CA) is also called (e.g.interchangeably called) “multi-carrier system”, “multi-cell operation”,“multi-carrier operation”, “multi-carrier” transmission and/orreception. Note that some embodiments are also applicable for Multi RAB(radio bearers) on some carriers (that is data plus speech issimultaneously scheduled).

Various embodiments described herein can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. With 5Gnetworks that may use waveforms that split the bandwidth into severalsub bands, different types of services can be accommodated in differentsub bands with the most suitable waveform and numerology, leading toimproved spectrum utilization for 5G networks. Notwithstanding, in themmWave spectrum, the millimeter waves have shorter wavelengths relativeto other communications waves, whereby mmWave signals can experiencesevere path loss, penetration loss, and fading. However, the shorterwavelength at mmWave frequencies also allows more antennas to be packedin the same physical dimension, which allows for large-scale spatialmultiplexing and highly directional beamforming.

FIG. 10 provides additional context for various embodiments describedherein, intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitableoperating environment 1000 in which the various embodiments of theembodiment described herein can be implemented. While the embodimentshave been described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, Internet of Things (IoT)devices, distributed computing systems, as well as personal computers,hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operativelycoupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media, machine-readable storage media,and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differentlyfrom one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media ormachine-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media or machine-readablestorage media can be implemented in connection with any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readable ormachine-readable instructions, program modules, structured data orunstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, solid state drives or other solid statestorage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms“tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 10 , the example operating environment 1000for implementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 1002, the computer 1002 including a processing unit1004, a system memory 1006 and a system bus 1008. The system bus 1008couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes ROM 1010 and RAM 1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1002, such as during startup. The RAM 1012 can also include a high-speedRAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1002 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), one or more external storage devices 1016(e.g., a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, a memory stick or flashdrive reader, a memory card reader, etc.) and a drive 1020, e.g., suchas a solid state drive, an optical disk drive, which can read or writefrom a disk 1022, such as a CD-ROM disc, a DVD, a BD, etc.Alternatively, where a solid state drive is involved, disk 1022 wouldnot be included, unless separate. While the internal HDD 1014 isillustrated as located within the computer 1002, the internal HDD 1014can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (notshown). Additionally, while not shown in environment 1000, a solid statedrive (SSD) could be used in addition to, or in place of, an HDD 1014.The HDD 1014, external storage device(s) 1016 and drive 1020 can beconnected to the system bus 1008 by an HDD interface 1024, an externalstorage interface 1026 and a drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations can include at leastone or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Otherexternal drive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1002, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to respective types of storage devices, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, whether presently existing ordeveloped in the future, could also be used in the example operatingenvironment, and further, that any such storage media can containcomputer-executable instructions for performing the methods describedherein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

Computer 1002 can optionally comprise emulation technologies. Forexample, a hypervisor (not shown) or other intermediary can emulate ahardware environment for operating system 1030, and the emulatedhardware can optionally be different from the hardware illustrated inFIG. 10 . In such an embodiment, operating system 1030 can comprise onevirtual machine (VM) of multiple VMs hosted at computer 1002.Furthermore, operating system 1030 can provide runtime environments,such as the Java runtime environment or the .NET framework, forapplications 1032. Runtime environments are consistent executionenvironments that allow applications 1032 to run on any operating systemthat includes the runtime environment. Similarly, operating system 1030can support containers, and applications 1032 can be in the form ofcontainers, which are lightweight, standalone, executable packages ofsoftware that include, e.g., code, runtime, system tools, systemlibraries and settings for an application.

Further, computer 1002 can be enable with a security module, such as atrusted processing module (TPM). For instance, with a TPM, bootcomponents hash next in time boot components, and wait for a match ofresults to secured values, before loading a next boot component. Thisprocess can take place at any layer in the code execution stack ofcomputer 1002, e.g., applied at the application execution level or atthe operating system (OS) kernel level, thereby enabling security at anylevel of code execution.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1002 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038, a touchscreen 1040, and a pointing device, such as a mouse 1042. Other inputdevices (not shown) can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remotecontrol, a radio frequency (RF) remote control, or other remote control,a joystick, a virtual reality controller and/or virtual reality headset,a game pad, a stylus pen, an image input device, e.g., camera(s), agesture sensor input device, a vision movement sensor input device, anemotion or facial detection device, a biometric input device, e.g.,fingerprint or iris scanner, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an input deviceinterface 1044 that can be coupled to the system bus 1008, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, a BLUETOOTH®interface, etc.

A monitor 1046 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 1008 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1048. Inaddition to the monitor 1046, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1050. The remotecomputer(s) 1050 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1002, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1052 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1054 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1056. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can beconnected to the local network 1054 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1058. The adapter 1058 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1054, which canalso include a wireless access point (AP) disposed thereon forcommunicating with the adapter 1058 in a wireless mode.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can includea modem 1060 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN1056 via other means for establishing communications over the WAN 1056,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1060, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 1008 via the input device interface 1044. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1002 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1052. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

When used in either a LAN or WAN networking environment, the computer1002 can access cloud storage systems or other network-based storagesystems in addition to, or in place of, external storage devices 1016 asdescribed above, such as but not limited to a network virtual machineproviding one or more aspects of storage or processing of information.Generally, a connection between the computer 1002 and a cloud storagesystem can be established over a LAN 1054 or WAN 1056 e.g., by theadapter 1058 or modem 1060, respectively. Upon connecting the computer1002 to an associated cloud storage system, the external storageinterface 1026 can, with the aid of the adapter 1058 and/or modem 1060,manage storage provided by the cloud storage system as it would othertypes of external storage. For instance, the external storage interface1026 can be configured to provide access to cloud storage sources as ifthose sources were physically connected to the computer 1002.

The computer 1002 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, store shelf, etc.), and telephone. This can include WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

Further to the description above, as it employed in the subjectspecification, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor mayalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” “data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “layer,” “selector,” “interface,” and the like are intendedto refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media, device readablestorage devices, or machine readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmwareapplication executed by a processor, wherein the processor can beinternal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms like “user equipment (UE),” “mobile station,” “mobile,”“subscriber station,” “subscriber equipment,” “access terminal,”“terminal,” “handset,” and similar terminology, refer to a wirelessdevice utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communicationservice to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming,or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoingterms are utilized interchangeably in the subject specification andrelated drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “basestation,” “NodeB,” “evolved Node B (eNodeB),” “home Node B (HNB),” “homeaccess point (HAP),” “cell device,” “sector,” “cell,” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the subject application, and refer to awireless network component or appliance that serves and receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-streamor signaling-stream to and from a set of subscriber stations or providerenabled devices. Data and signaling streams can include packetized orframe-based flows.

Additionally, the terms “core-network”, “core”, “core carrier network”,“carrier-side”, or similar terms can refer to components of atelecommunications network that typically provides some or all ofaggregation, authentication, call control and switching, charging,service invocation, or gateways. Aggregation can refer to the highestlevel of aggregation in a service provider network wherein the nextlevel in the hierarchy under the core nodes is the distribution networksand then the edge networks. User equipments do not normally connectdirectly to the core networks of a large service provider but can berouted to the core by way of a switch or radio area network.Authentication can refer to determinations regarding whether the userrequesting a service from the telecom network is authorized to do sowithin this network or not. Call control and switching can referdeterminations related to the future course of a call stream acrosscarrier equipment based on the call signal processing. Charging can berelated to the collation and processing of charging data generated byvarious network nodes. Two common types of charging mechanisms found inpresent day networks can be prepaid charging and postpaid charging.Service invocation can occur based on some explicit action (e.g. calltransfer) or implicitly (e.g., call waiting). It is to be noted thatservice “execution” may or may not be a core network functionality asthird party network/nodes may take part in actual service execution. Agateway can be present in the core network to access other networks.Gateway functionality can be dependent on the type of the interface withanother network.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particulardistinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such termscan refer to human entities or automated components (e.g., supportedthrough artificial intelligence, as through a capacity to makeinferences based on complex mathematical formalisms), that can providesimulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Aspects, features, or advantages of the subject matter can be exploitedin substantially any, or any, wired, broadcast, wirelesstelecommunication, radio technology or network, or combinations thereof.Non-limiting examples of such technologies or networks include Geocasttechnology; broadcast technologies (e.g., sub-Hz, ELF, VLF, LF, MF, HF,VHF, UHF, SHF, THz broadcasts, etc.); Ethernet; X.25; powerline-typenetworking (e.g., PowerLine AV Ethernet, etc.); femto-cell technology;Wi-Fi; Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX); EnhancedGeneral Packet Radio Service (Enhanced GPRS); Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP or 3G) Long Term Evolution (LTE); 3GPPUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or 3GPP UMTS; ThirdGeneration Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB);High Speed Packet Access (HSPA); High Speed Downlink Packet Access(HSDPA); High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA); GSM Enhanced DataRates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (RAN) or GERAN; UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN); or LTE Advanced.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and methodsillustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every combination of components or methods herein.One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the disclosure are possible.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,”“possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims,appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

While the various embodiments are susceptible to various modificationsand alternative constructions, certain illustrated implementationsthereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the various embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but onthe contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope ofthe various embodiments.

In addition to the various implementations described herein, it is to beunderstood that other similar implementations can be used, ormodifications and additions can be made to the describedimplementation(s) for performing the same or equivalent function of thecorresponding implementation(s) without deviating therefrom. Stillfurther, multiple processing chips or multiple devices can share theperformance of one or more functions described herein, and similarly,storage can be affected across a plurality of devices. Accordingly, theembodiments are not to be limited to any single implementation, butrather are to be construed in breadth, spirit and scope in accordancewith the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: facilitating, by firstnetwork equipment comprising a processor, receiving a first request fromsecond network equipment, to communicate a first communication to adestination group of user equipment comprising a first user equipmentwith multicast reception capabilities and a second user equipmentwithout the multicast reception capabilities; identifying, by the firstnetwork equipment, a first service area comprising the first userequipment and the second user equipment; identifying, by the firstnetwork equipment, a first gateway group of base station equipment and asecond gateway group of base station equipment serving the first servicearea, wherein the first gateway group comprises: first base stationequipment comprising first communication capabilities capable ofbroadcasting to user equipment with the multicast reception capabilitiesand unicasting to user equipment without the multicast receptioncapabilities, and second base station equipment comprising secondcommunication capabilities not capable of broadcasting to user equipmentwith the multicast reception capabilities and capable of unicasting touser equipment without the multicast reception capabilities, wherein thesecond gateway group comprises base station equipment comprising thefirst communication capabilities, and wherein, based on the firstgateway group comprising the second communication capabilities, unicastconnections are established by the first gateway group faster than thesecond gateway group without the second communication capabilities; andbased on the unicast connections being established by the first gatewaygroup faster than the second gateway group, selecting the first gatewaygroup of base station equipment for communication of the firstcommunication to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network equipment comprisesbroadcast multicast service center equipment and the first requestcomprises a request to initiate a multimedia broadcast multicast serviceconnection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second networkequipment implements a push to talk service, and wherein the firstcommunication comprises a push to talk communication in accordance withthe push to talk service.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:facilitating, by the first network equipment, receiving a second requestfrom the second network equipment, to communicate a second communicationto the destination group of user equipment via a second multi-castconnection to the destination group of user equipment, wherein thesecond request comprises an updated service area for the user equipment;based on the updated service area, selecting, by the first networkequipment, a second multi-cast gateway group of base station equipmentfor establishment of the second multi-cast connection with other userequipment of the destination group of user equipment other than thefirst user equipment and the second user equipment.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising, updating, by the first network equipmentfor the other user equipment, a stored mapping of the first service areato the updated service area.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein themulticast reception capabilities of the second user equipment weredetermined by the second user equipment.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the multicast reception capabilities comprise communicationcapabilities for communication via multimedia broadcast multicastservice connections.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, basedon the first service area, retrieving mapping information correspondingto a mapping of the first service area, wherein identifying the firstservice area is based on the mapping information.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the first request comprises the first service area of theuser equipment, and wherein the second network equipment included thefirst service area in the first request based on a record mapping thefirst user equipment and the second user equipment to the first servicearea.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, identifying, by thefirst network equipment, a second service area of a third user equipmentof the destination group of user equipment; and based on the secondservice area and multicast reception capabilities of the third userequipment, selecting, by the first network equipment, a third gatewaygroup of base station equipment for communication of the firstcommunication to the third user equipment.
 11. Network equipment,comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: receiving, from a source userequipment, a first request to communicate a communication to adestination group of user equipment via a connection to the destinationgroup of user equipment, wherein the destination group of user equipmentcomprises first user equipment capable of receiving multicastcommunications and second user equipment only capable of receivingunicast communications; identifying respective service areas of ones ofthe destination group, comprising a service area of at least one of thedestination group of user equipment, identifying a first gateway groupof base station equipment and a second gateway group of base stationequipment serving the service area, wherein the first gateway groupcomprises: first base station equipment comprising first communicationcapabilities capable of broadcasting to user equipment capable ofreceiving multicast communications and unicasting to user equipmentwithout multicast reception capabilities, and second base stationequipment comprising second communication capabilities not capable ofbroadcasting to user equipment with the multicast reception capabilitiesand capable of unicasting to user equipment only capable of receivingunicast communications, wherein the second gateway group comprises basestation equipment comprising the first communication capabilities, andwherein, based on the first gateway group comprising the secondcommunication capabilities, unicast connections are established by thefirst gateway group faster than the second gateway group without thesecond communication capabilities; and based on the unicast connectionsbeing established by the first gateway group faster than the secondgateway group, selecting the first gateway group of base stationequipment to communicate the communication to the first user equipmentand the second user equipmentt.
 12. The network equipment of claim 11,wherein the destination group of user equipment was selected based onidentified capabilities of a user equipment of the destination group,and wherein the identified capabilities of the user equipment wereprovided by the user equipment based on analysis by the user equipment.13. The network equipment of claim 11, wherein the destination group ofuser equipment was selected based on identified capabilities of a userequipment of the destination group, wherein the respective service areaof the at least one of the destination group of user equipment is forselection, by multi-cast gateway equipment based on the respectiveservice area, of a multi-cast gateway group of base station equipmentfor establishment of the connection, wherein the operations furthercomprise, generating the second request for different multi-cast gatewayequipment to initiate the connection, and wherein the second requestcomprises the ones of the destination group that do not comprise atleast one of the identified capabilities that is implicated by themulti-cast gateway equipment and the multi-cast gateway group of basestation equipment.
 14. The network equipment of claim 12, wherein thedestination group of user equipment was selected based on identifiedcapabilities of a user equipment of the destination group, wherein therespective service area of the at least one of the destination group ofuser equipment is for selection, by multi-cast gateway equipment basedon the respective service area, of a multi-cast gateway group of basestation equipment for establishment of the connection, wherein theidentified capabilities are implicated by the multi-cast gatewayequipment, and wherein the multi-cast gateway group of base stationequipment comprises a capability for communication via multimediabroadcast multicast service connections.
 15. The network equipment ofclaim 11, wherein the respective service area of the at least one of thedestination group of user equipment is for selection, by multi-castgateway equipment based on the respective service area, of a multi-castgateway group of base station equipment for establishment of theconnection, and wherein the multi-cast gateway equipment comprisesbroadcast multicast service center equipment and the second requestcomprises a request to initiate a multimedia broadcast multicast serviceconnection.
 16. The network equipment of claim 11, wherein the networkequipment is configured to communicate according to a push to talkservice, and wherein the communication comprises a push to talkcommunication.
 17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of amulticast gateway server system, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: receiving a request from push to talk equipment, tocommunicate a communication to a destination group of user equipment viaa first multi-cast connection to the destination group of userequipment, wherein the destination group of user equipment comprises afirst user equipment with multicast reception capabilities and a seconduser equipment without the multicast reception capabilities; identifyinga first service area comprising the first user equipment and the seconduser equipment; and identifying a first gateway group of base stationsand a second gateway group of base stations serving the first servicearea, wherein: the first gateway group comprises: first base stationscomprising first communication capabilities capable of broadcasting to afirst group of user equipment, comprising the first user equipment, withthe multicast reception capabilities and unicasting to a second group ofuser equipment, comprising the second user equipment, without themulticast reception capabilities, and second base stations comprisingsecond communication capabilities not capable of broadcasting to thefirst group of user equipment, and capable of unicasting to the secondgroup of user equipment, the second gateway group comprises basestations comprising the second communication capabilities, wherein,based on the first gateway group comprising the second communicationcapabilities, unicast connections are established by the first gatewaygroup faster than the second gateway group without the secondcommunication capabilities; and based on the unicast connections beingestablished by the first gateway group faster than the second gatewaygroup, selecting the first gateway group to communicate thecommunication to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise, updating a stored record of a mapping ofthe first service area from the first gateway group of base stations toan updated gateway group of base stations.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein a multi-cast connection isestablished with the first user equipment via the first gateway group ofbase stations operating in an evolved packet core framework.
 20. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the requestcomprises a push to talk session initiation request.